Educational Intervention To Improve HPV Vaccination in a Rural Community

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to increase knowledge and intent to vaccinate against the human papillomavirus (HPV) among parents, guardians, and young adults in a rural community through an educational intervention. The project aimed to address misconceptions, provide education about HPV and the HPV vaccine, and highlight the health benefits of the HPV vaccine.Background: HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) and is associated with several types of cancer, including cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers. Despite the availability and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, vaccination rates remain lower in rural communities where access to healthcare and health literacy are often limited. This project sought to bridge this gap by providing education to improve knowledge of the HPV vaccine. Methods: The project consisted of a pretest and posttest to evaluate the impact of the educational PowerPoint presentation on participants' knowledge and attitudes toward HPV vaccination. The intervention was conducted at a local high school during a school engagement orientation event. Participants were recruited on-site and completed a pre-intervention survey assessing their baseline knowledge and intent to vaccinate. Following the presentation, participants completed a post-intervention survey to measure changes in knowledge and attitudes. The surveys included questions about how HPV is transmitted, associated health risks, vaccine benefits, and intent to vaccinate their children. Results: A total of 10 participants, primarily parents (90%, n=9) and one community member (10%, n=1), participated in this project. After attending the educational presentation on HPV and completing the pre- and post-surveys, all participants (100%) reported an increase in knowledge 9 about HPV transmission, risks, and the benefits of vaccination. The post-intervention survey results indicated a significant improvement in participants' intent to vaccinate their children against HPV, with 100% of participants expressing a willingness to do so. The educational session effectively addressed knowledge gaps and improved participants' understanding of the importance of the HPV vaccine. Conclusions: The educational intervention successfully increased participants' knowledge about HPV and the benefits of vaccination, as well as their intent to vaccinate their children. By addressing misconceptions and improving awareness, this intervention holds promise for enhancing HPV vaccination rates in rural communities, ultimately contributing to the prevention of HPV-related cancers.